Tualatin Councilor Gillespie to resign

He is moving with his family to a farm in unincorporated Clakamas County

TUALATIN - Tualatin's Position 2 City Councilor Mike Gillespie will resign from his seat next week.

Gillespie, who took office in 2005, will be moving with his family to a farm in unincorporated Clackamas County. His children want an opportunity to raise animals and be involved with 4-H, Gillespie said.

'I'm very much going to miss Tualatin,' he said. 'There are a few things that need to be fixed (in Tualatin), but I think the council is marching on the right path.'

Gillespie announced his plan to step down during Monday's City Council meeting, though councilors were reportedly made aware of his plans during the Sept. 18 council meeting.

Mayor Lou Ogden noted that Gillespie would be missed on council.

'We asked a lot of questions because you were here,' Ogden said during Monday's council meeting.

Gillespie said he was certain that the council would do a good job of appointing a passionate citizen to fill his seat.

Since Gillespie is leaving in mid-term, the City Council will be responsible for filling the vacant seat with an appointment, according to the city charter. Gillespie's four-year term was to end Dec. 31, 2008.

Interim City Manager Dick Townsend said that the city has no definite timeline for when that seat will be filled.